GORDON PROPOSES PUBLIC POSTING OF GOV'T
EXPROPRIATION PROJECTS

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today proposed the posting of notices in conspicuous public areas that would detail pertinent information on expropriation projects in order to avert suspicions of overpricing in government transactions.

Gordon made the proposal as the Senate is locked into discussions on the alleged double budget insertion for the construction of the C-5 road, which shows the lack of transparency in the allocation of budget and expropriation proceedings for government projects.

"Allegations of overpricing and speculation in budgetary allocations for infrastructure development abound as the 2009 General Appropriations Bill is being deliberated in Congress. Among the most controversial items are payments for the expropriation of lands for government infrastructure projects," he said.

In response to the predicament, Gordon filed Senate Bill (SB) 2634, which seeks full disclosure of all government transactions involving public interest by posting a summary of disbursements within the premises of the national, regional and local offices of the implementing agency, as well as within the halls of the local government unit (LGU) that has jurisdiction over the expropriated property.

The summary of disbursements, Gordon explained, shall comprise information such as the title and names of the owners of the property being expropriated, the valuation of the property as allocated in the government budget, and all disbursements, expenditures and utilization funds for such expropriation, including right-of-way payments.

"Projects involving right of way should be published so that we would know whether there was a fair price or an overpricing. I think the people deserve the kind of transparency that must be given by any government when public funds are disbursed," Gordon said.

"Making available to the public these important details in government transactions and projects would be the first step in combating corruption in this sector," he added.

Gordon said many government agencies have committed countless violations of the right of Filipinos to information of public interest and concern because there is no mechanism that would allow the people to look into government projects.

He stressed that allegations of overpricing in government transactions will be averted if government agencies can provide accessible and comprehensible information concerning the disbursement and use of public funds in expropriation proceedings.